CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & LADENBURG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Magenta Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company developing therapeutics to improve and extend the use of curative bone marrow transplant for more patients, and Heidelberg Pharma AG (FSE:WL6), a biotechnology company developing new options to address major challenges in cancer therapy, today announced the signing of an exclusive multi-target research agreement. The collaboration will combine Magenta’s stem cell platform with proprietary antibodies across up to four exclusive targets with Heidelberg Pharma’s proprietary ATAC (Antibody Targeted Amanitin Conjugates) platform.
“There is a significant need for targeted conditioning regimens for bone marrow transplant, and this is a key area of focus for Magenta. Our partnership with Heidelberg Pharma is an important step in our development of proprietary targeted antibody drug conjugates for conditioning,” said Michael Cooke, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Magenta Therapeutics. “Amanitin is one of the promising toxins we are exploring in our targeted conditioning programs, and our partnership with Heidelberg Pharma will allow us to fully evaluate the potential of this payload.”
“We are delighted to collaborate with Magenta Therapeutics, a company at the forefront of transforming the field of bone marrow transplant medicine. We believe this partnership further validates our technology and underscores our leadership in the field of Antibody Targeted Amanitin Conjugates, a new mode of action for attacking cancer,” said Andreas Pahl, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Heidelberg Pharma. “We look forward to working with Magenta to expand the application of our ATAC technology to new targets to potentially address unmet needs in bone marrow transplantation.”
Under the terms of the multi-target research agreement, Magenta will have access to Heidelberg Pharma’s Amanitin toxin-linker platform technology. Magenta has an option for an exclusive target-specific license for global development and commercialization rights to each of the product candidates resulting from the research collaboration.
Heidelberg Pharma will receive upfront technology access and exclusivity fees and payments for research support. Under the exclusive license agreement, Heidelberg Pharma would be eligible to receive option fees, clinical development, regulatory and sales-related milestone payments up to $334 million USD, if Magenta exercises all target options and all milestones are met.
About Bone Marrow Transplant
Healthy bone marrow stem cells and the blood cells they create are crucial for survival, but certain diseases can affect the bone marrow, interfering with its ability to function properly. A bone marrow transplant is a process to replace unhealthy bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. Bone marrow transplant can save the lives of patients with blood cancers and genetic diseases and is a potential cure for patients with severe refractory autoimmune diseases. However, the high risks, toxic side effects and complexity of the procedure currently prevent many patients from being able to benefit. Magenta is working to address these challenges through its integrated portfolio of therapeutics.
About Magenta Therapeutics
Magenta Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing therapeutics to revolutionize bone marrow transplant for patients with autoimmune diseases, blood cancers and genetic diseases. By creating a platform focused on critical areas of transplant medicine, Magenta Therapeutics is pioneering an integrated approach to extend the curative power of bone marrow transplant to more patients. Founded by internationally recognized leaders in bone marrow transplant medicine, Magenta Therapeutics was launched in 2016 by Third Rock Ventures and Atlas Venture and is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. For more information, please visit www.magentatx.com.
About Heidelberg Pharma
Heidelberg Pharma is an oncology specialist and the first company to develop the toxin Amanitin into cancer therapies using its proprietary Antibody Targeted Amanitin Conjugate (ATAC) technology and to advance the biological mode of action of the toxin as a novel therapeutic principle. This proprietary technology platform is being applied to develop the Company’s proprietary therapeutic ATACs as well as in third-party collaborations to create a variety of ATAC candidates. The proprietary lead candidate HDP-101 is a BCMA ATAC for multiple myeloma. ATAC technology is the core activity of subsidiary Heidelberg Pharma Research GmbH.
Heidelberg Pharma AG has entered into partnerships to further develop and commercialize its clinical assets MESUPRON® and REDECTANE®, while RENCAREX® is available for out-licensing and further development. The Company is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange: ISIN DE000A11QVV0 / WKN A11QVV / Symbol WL6. More information is available at www.heidelberg-pharma.com.
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